The Curious Case of Abs and a Squirrel Chase

“What is it? Why are you looking at me like that? I just… I just wanted to see if you have abs. You… you’ve already seen mine, can’t you let me see yours?”

Gu Yuetong’s words were startling, leaving Lin Yi utterly dumbfounded. Never before had he heard such a request. What kind of girl would beg a guy to see his abs?

“Wait a minute, I really didn’t see anything before. I swear to the heavens.”

As he spoke, Lin Yi raised his left hand, extending four fingers to attest to his innocence.

Gu Yuetong eyed him suspiciously, the blush on her face already showing signs of fading. She was unlike other girls; her personality was always straightforward, speaking her mind without hesitation.

Her desire to see Lin Yi’s abs stemmed from a simple curiosity: to verify if all boys possessed them. She had previously noticed her brother’s abdominal muscles and, feeling intrigued, had asked about them.

Her brother had then explained that many boys who consistently exercised developed them, assuring her there was no need for a fuss. From that moment on, she had assumed every boy naturally had abs.

However, having never seen another boy’s physique, the matter had remained unresolved in her mind. Now, presented with such a prime opportunity, she naturally felt compelled to inquire.

“Just let me take a peek! My brother said that all boys have abs. Just let me see; I won’t touch them with my hands.”

Upon hearing this, Lin Yi’s mouth twitched, feeling somewhat offended. Weren’t abs something only serious fitness enthusiasts possessed? How could a happy couch potato like him possibly have such a thing?

Lin Yi rubbed his throbbing head, completely at a loss for how to explain. As he struggled to formulate an excuse, a sudden chill swept through the air.

A mischievous little hand had already lifted the quilt covering Lin Yi.

Lin Yi instantly recoiled, but the landscape of his abdomen had already been exposed to a certain shameless young lady.

“So, Lin Yi doesn’t have them?”

Gu Yuetong withdrew her hand, lowering her head in thought. If her previous assumption were true, then…

Unpleasant images flashed through her mind, causing Gu Yuetong to vigorously shake her head, purging those chaotic thoughts.

“Ahem, I’m sorry. I overstepped.”

With a sheepish bow towards Lin Yi, Gu Yuetong hurriedly fled from the tent.

Lin Yi remained somewhat puzzled. She had been so bold just moments ago; why was she suddenly so timid? Unable to comprehend Gu Yuetong’s intentions, he re-wrapped himself snugly in the quilt, then picked up a piece of meat from the white porcelain bowl.

Perhaps due to the extended sitting time, the grilled meat no longer looked glistening with oil. Yet, this didn’t diminish its appeal for eating.

****

Rushing back to the grill, Gu Yuetong sat down, fanning her cheeks with both hands. Still, this couldn’t conceal the crimson blush staining her face.

She had seen it earlier—Lin Yi indeed had no abs. However, his un-sculpted stomach seemed to attract Gu Yuetong even more. It felt like a beautiful painting, forever etched into her mind.

‘No, I absolutely cannot let these strange thoughts continue!’

Patting her flushed cheeks, Gu Yuetong grabbed a piece of meat still on the grill and brought it directly to her mouth. The moment her tongue touched the scorching meat, a searing sensation instantly jolted her brain.

Without time to think, Gu Yuetong instinctively spat out the burning meat, her pale green eyes welling up with tears.

“So hot!”

*Haa—haa—*

Taking deep, gasping breaths, the burning sensation on her tongue finally began to subside considerably.

Gu Yulong, who had been busy grilling, noticed his sister’s actions and looked over with a puzzled expression.

“What’s wrong, little sister?”

“Nothing, nothing. I just ate a bit too quickly.”

Gu Yuetong quickly waved her hand, attempting to mask her embarrassment. Gu Yulong continued to observe, feeling that something was amiss with his sister, yet he couldn’t pinpoint it. He eventually attributed everything to the grilled meat.

“You should eat slower. There’s water in the tent; go grab a bottle for yourself.”

“Okay, I understand, big brother.”

****

Time ticked by, minute by minute. Lin Yi sat in the small tent, waiting for a long while, but Lin Yiting still hadn’t returned.

Out of boredom, he began to examine the tent’s internal structure. It was a single-person, triangular tent.

There wasn’t much inside, only a small coffee table and a quilt. On the table sat a small lamp, powered by batteries, making it usable even in the wilderness. Though it seemed small, it was perfectly sized for sleeping.

As Lin Yi surveyed his surroundings, Lin Yiting finally returned, carrying a set of men’s clothes.

“Here, don’t fall into the water again this time.”

“Haha, how could I?”

Lin Yi accepted the clothes with a faint smile. However, as his fingers brushed against the fabric, the smile on his face gradually stiffened. The texture felt odd; there seemed to be a silken item inside.

He then pulled out a pair of black stockings from the pile of clothing.

“Uh… Sister, can you explain this?”

Seeing the stockings, Lin Yiting’s mouth twitched involuntarily. She hadn’t just gone home to find clothes for Lin Yi; she had also planned to grab two sets of cool dresses and a few pieces of her own underwear to slip into Lin Yi’s bag, intending to surprise him when he changed.

These stockings were meant for herself, but somehow one had gotten mixed in with Lin Yi’s clothes.

“Ahem, those are mine.”

Embarrassed, Lin Yiting coughed, snatched the black stockings from Lin Yi’s hand, and tossed them into a corner of the tent.

After inspecting the clothes, Lin Yi decided not to wear them. It was almost nine o’clock; there was no point in changing now, so he might as well just go to sleep.

Seeing his intention to sleep, Lin Yiting picked up the stockings and slowly walked out of the tent. Once back in her own tent, she sat cross-legged on her bed, still caressing the stockings in her hand. Garments of this material were utterly impractical in the dead of winter. Unless she wore cotton pants underneath, which would make her legs look bulky, she rarely wore such things in this climate.

She couldn’t recall what possessed her to bring these stockings along, perhaps they were simply tucked into her clothes in her haste. Her long, fair legs crossed, Lin Yiting lay on the bed, gazing at the pristine white tent. A wave of drowsiness washed over her.

She inexplicably found this kind of life incredibly peaceful.

****

As the sun rose as usual, the four of them awoke early to pack their belongings. They weren’t preparing to leave just yet; Gu Yuetong wanted to stay a little longer in this rare spot, at least to experience a full day.

Their early start was primarily due to Gu Yulong’s desire to cut a hole in the river and try ice fishing. Lin Yi and Lin Yiting had no objections; they had little experience with fishing and were naturally curious about the process and its joys.

Gu Yuetong, however, having spent much time with her brother, found little excitement in such activities. She had long grown accustomed to them, even possessing a slight talent for fishing, but simply didn’t enjoy it.

Watching the other three gathered by the lake, Gu Yuetong gazed idly at the clouds in the sky. As she drifted into a daze, a rustling sound suddenly came from beneath her feet.

Gu Yuetong looked down to find a small squirrel dragging a pinecone. Her gaze was instantly captivated by the fluffy creature.

The squirrel appeared highly alert, baring its teeth at Gu Yuetong while clutching the pinecone to its chest. Its adorable appearance even gave Gu Yuetong an impulse to turn it into a specimen.

“Hey there, little squirrel, want to come to my house?”

Under Gu Yuetong’s intense stare, the squirrel’s fur bristled, as if it understood her words. Realizing the situation was amiss, the little squirrel dropped its pinecone and scurried into the depths of the forest. Gu Yuetong, of course, wouldn’t let it escape and quickly gave chase.

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